Testifying before the House Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Rural Development and Research Wednesday, National Corn Growers Association Chair Fred Yoder Wednesday noted wide grower acceptance of agriculture biotechnology and the need to maintain an aggressive national program.

“NCGA strongly believes biotechnology offers corn growers improved efficiencies and potential profits when managed wisely and with regulatory oversight based on sound science,” said Yoder. “Introduction of biotechnology and of new hybrids of corn and their proliferation across the Corn Belt is redefining current systems of price discovery, consumer information, health regulation and trade management.”

Noting corn is the largest crop in the United States, with more than 79 million acres planted in 2003 producing 10 billion bushels of grain, Yoder said corn acreage is likely to increase this year with nearly half devoted to hybrids derived from biotechnology. “Corn producers across the country are already learning about benefits of biotechnology and we expect acceptance rates to continue to climb.”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates 46 percent of the corn crop will be planted with biotech varieties this year. That is up from 40 percent in 2003.

Citing acceptance rates for agriculture biotech in corn and other crops, Yoder noted acceptance rests primarily on the economic and environmental benefits associated with biotechnology. “Innovations in the first wave of agriculture biotech relied on single agronomic traits focused on crop production and pest management,” He added the future of agriculture biotech is “exciting and rich with promise” and that the second wave of innovations will focus on output traits and products designed to benefit consumers directly.

Yoder concluded corn growers have a unique opportunity to take part in one of the most important changes in agriculture in history, adding the development of agriculture biotech offers a “fantastic opportunity” for increasing the value of the corn crop, as well as significantly benefiting consumers

“Together, we can ensure U.S. agriculture remains a leader in technological innovation and production of corn,” Yoder said. “To be sure, the future of agriculture biotechnology is filled with uncertainty, but we stand ready to confront the challenges that await us. We have so much to lose if we do not move ahead.”

Complete testimony in PDF format:
http://www.ncga.com/public_policy/PDF/06_24_04YoderHouseAgSubcommitteeTestimony.pdf